O'Brien, Moore leading trainer, jockey for 2018 Royal Ascot meet

The five-day stand at the 2018 Royal Ascot meet came to a close on Saturday (c) Frank Sorge/Horsephotos.com

Trainer Aidan O'Brien and jockey Ryan Moore emerged as the respective leading trainer and jockey for the 2018 Royal Ascot meeting that concluded Saturday.

Ballydoyle master O'Brien earned a ninth title as leading trainer at the royal meeting after saddling four winners (4-4-7). Newmarket trainer John Gosden (4-3-3) also had four winners, but O'Brien secured one more second than Gosden to clinch the title.

"We are delighted really. It's tough, very competitive racing," said O'Brien, who has recorded 65 total winners at Royal Ascot. "It's competitive racing at Royal Ascot. No matter what race you run a horse in, it is always tough to win and very competitive, but that's what makes it special."

Sir Michael Stoute, who became the winningest trainer in Royal Ascot history when Poet's World captured the Prince of Wales’s Stakes (Eng-G1) on Wednesday, ended the meet with 79 total winners (4-0-3).

Moore teamed with O'Brien to score four of his five wins (5-0-3) during the meet, piloting Kew Gardens to victory in the Queen's Vase (Eng-G2), Hunting Horn in the Hampton Court Stakes (Eng-G3), Magic Wand in the Ribblesdale Stakes (Eng-G2) and Merchant Navy in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes (Eng-G1). His fifth win came aboard Crystal Ocean in the Hardwicke Stakes (Eng-G2) for Stoute.

Popular reinsman Frankie Dettori (4-1-4) came in second with William Buick (3-3-2) in third.

Moore now has 53 overall winners at Royal Ascot and earned his eighth leading jockey title in nine years.

"It was great to end the week with Merchant Navy winning today. That was an important race for an important horse," Moore said. "To get to 50 winners at Royal Ascot this week was great."

Coolmore (4-4-7) was honored as the leading owner following the successes of Kew Gardens, Hunting Horn, Magic Wand and Merchant Navy. Khalid Abdullah (3-1-2) followed in second and Godolphin (2-3-3) was third.

Ascot Chief Executive Guy Henderson reflected on the 2018 Royal Ascot meet.

"We've had a fantastic week," Henderson said. "Aidan O'Brien, Ryan Moore and Coolmore had to fight hard for their awards this year, but were very worthy winners in the end.

"We've seen some tremendous racing with standout performances from the likes of Stradivarius as well as Alpha Centauri and a real spread of success across countries and connections.

"A truly international Diamond Jubilee Stakes today went the way of Aidan O'Brien and Ireland with the ex-Australian-trained Merchant Navy winning and a great run from the American-trained Bound For Nowhere in third.

"Over 300,000 people visited the racecourse and the viewers at home have been treated to an exemplary five days of uninterrupted coverage of all 30 races on ITV.

"I'd like to thank everybody that brings this event together. Owners, trainers, stable staff, our own staff, partners and everyone who works so hard on site to bring the event to life.

"We look forward to welcoming everyone back for Royal Ascot 2019."

RECAPS FOR ROYAL ASCOT

Day 5 – Merchant Navy sails to Diamond Jubilee triumph on final day at Royal Ascot

Day 4 – Alpha Centauri sets course record with Coronation romp

Day 3 – Shang Shang Shang beats the boys in Norfolk; Dettori scores 60th victory at Royal Ascot

Day 2 – Poet's World captures Prince of Wales's to give Stoute record 76th win at Royal Ascot

Day 1 – Without Parole, Accidental Agent and Blue Point star on Royal Ascot opener